May 2014 Newsletter

Hey! It's May and I'm on the road doing book signings and events for my newest book, My Paris Kitchen, which was released last month. I'm currently in Vancouver, after arriving around 8pm last night. And after dropping my suitcase off at the hotel, I raced over to ShuRaku, and had an exceptionally good meal at the sushi bar. The meal blew me away, starting with cherry tomato kimchi, ending with soft shell crab rolls wrapped with tofu skins, all washed down with a small beaker of cold sake. I was exhilarated after running around Seattle for a few days, then racing for a plane to Canada. And it was great to get a meal in before I hit the ground running, again.

In April, I spent a few days in Los Angeles, a few parts of Texas, and then landing in Seattle, each city very different.

I ate well everywhere I went, trying to use to spare seconds I had each day to power through a farmer's market or wolf down something from a small-batch chocolate company. Or rip into a loaf of bread made from freshly ground artisan wheat. I discovered the Book Larder cookbook store in Seattle, and the meal, above, was recipes from my book - a grand aïoli with fresh vegetables and bay leaf poundcake - made by chef/owner Renee Erickson and the team at Boat Street Café in Seattle, one of my new favorite restaurants anywhere. I was so happy to meet her and the team there, and they did a great job with the food.

(I was also happy to see that while I was running around, My Paris Kitchen made the New York Times bestseller list. So an especially big thanks to everyone who got a copy of the book.)

I'm still on the road through May, and will be in Vancouver, New York City, San Francisco, Washington DC, and Miami. You can find out where I am on my Schedule page, as well as down below. If you want to stop by, say hi and get a book signed, I'd love to meet you.

I kicked off April by leading my annual Paris-Lausanne Chocolate and Gastronomy Tour. We visited my favorite bakeries and pastry shops in Paris, peering in behind-the-scenes while chocolates were dipped, breads were baked, and caramels were swirled (and sampled, of course!) We had a great time in Paris, then took the high-speed train to Switzerland to enjoy the sublime Gruyère cheese made in the alps above Lausanne and the Gruyère double-cream with meringues. You can't get it anywhere else in the world, so it's always a thrill to visit the region to get some dippin' time in.

We stirred and swirled our bread around in bubbling pots of fondue, before finally saying our tearful goodbyes. The last day, right before we all went our separate ways, my guests gifted me with something I've always coveted: a Poilâne bread knife, from the famed bakery in Paris.

I've been using it every morning to saw through my morning French bread for breakfast (man, that sucker is sharp!) - which I've been missing on my book tour. But each time I used it at home, I think of my new friends that came along on the trip and how nice it is to feel connected with them, and all the other people that I've met since making my one-way trip to Paris, way-back-when...

- David

Recent Interviews

Being the chatty type, I tend to lose my voice within the first hour of any event. Fortunately I've been able to give a number of written interviews that require less talking, on topics ranging from where I shop, to the future of French cuisine:

Favorite Posts from Last Month

May Book Tour Dates

Here are the dates & places where I'll be out and about in the USA this month. There is a complete list on my Schedule page, but some of the events are sold-out. Be sure to check with the venues for any possible changes or if you have questions.

May 3: Book signing at The Pasta Shop, Fourth Street, Berkeley, CA, from 3pm - 5pm. (Note: Due to construction this event may move to their College Ave shop. Please contact the store for the most up-to-date information.)

May 4: In conversation with Alice Medrich, and book signing at Williams-Sonoma in Union Square, San Francisco. The event starts 3pm. (Note: Store policy is that I will only be signing copies of My Paris Kitchen purchased at the Williams-Sonoma store where the event is being held.)